I decided to post another chapter quickly; sorry for leaving ya hangin' on the last one.
I am pleased that everyone enjoyed Allie, she was the creation of Mlle.Fox; a talented author of fiction here on If I can work her into the storyline again, she will be back.
Thank you all my lovelies…you keep me breathing…
Disclaimer: The only things that are mine are the storyline and any characters not created by GL, SK, or ALW; except Allie in chapter 16, she is the creation of Mlle.Fox – thanks my friend. She wrote the dialogue and most of the filler for this character.
Success lies in only one direction: straight ahead. If you backtrack, you get sidetracked.
God's Best for Your Success
I Surrender All
CHAPTER 17
Karlie was crestfallen; she had finally found the courage to press a few of Erik's buttons, only to watch him walk away. But she was not going to chase him and draw even more attention to herself.
Allie came up beside her and they both watched his shapely backside retreat out the door without a backward glance.
Allie turned to Karlie with her hands on her hips and a, if-you-had-done-what-I-told-you-do-when-I-told-you-to-do-it-you-would-be-leaving-with-him, look plastered all over her face.
"I know what you are thinking, Allie; don't fret…I will know when the time is right…and when it is…he won't know what hit him." Karlie bestowed a wink on Allie and the two friends spent the rest of the afternoon shopping and laughing with Allie trying to buy Karlie new clothes and Karlie refusing…she would be no ones charity case, not even her best friends.
She had money, her father had left her a little bit to live on, but there had not been very much after his illness had taken most of it; she had to be frugal, and clothing was not on the list.
Allie had to leave the next day to go to some town in Kentucky and pick up a couple of orphaned children to be placed in a home in Mississippi. She would be gone for several months and then would come back and spend more time. Karlie already missed her desperately.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Erik had stepped into the café at the insistence of Demi, who said they served the best soups in all of New Orleans…he was in the mood for soup, so he thought he would stop. He had found a time when there were few people about and settled in a chair.
He had not been there long when he heard the two women in the very back corner laughing and talking. They seemed to be rather engrossed in a conversation about some man…and then Erik heard a voice that was very familiar to him…
Karlie. What was she doing here? He was not about to look at her. He had heard her and her friend discussing a man that Karlie was apparently interested in and her friend was telling her to go for it in terms that could not be mistaken.
He could not understand Karlie having any hesitation at all when it came to men…any man would be honored to have her attentions.
Erik could bear it no longer and left without ordering anything. He was not going to sit here and start feeling sorry for himself; wondering why a woman as beautiful as Karlie could not find it in her heart to love a man like him.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Erik stayed to himself for the next couple of weeks. He was arranging schedules and composing. He tried to convince himself that he was not avoiding Karlie; but, he knew otherwise…he was trying to work up enough nerve to talk to her and show her who he really was, but his schedule really was jammed and so was hers.
He had worked out a pay chart with Demi that allowed for all the staff to get considerable pay increases and he had set forth a salary for Karlie, the woman was not going to work for room and board any longer. The salaries would take affect the first full week in December as early Christmas gifts.
Erik had never celebrated Christmas before. Madam Giry had always spent it with her family and he had insisted she leave him out. He was not her family and he had no desire to scare Meg or intrude. He had remained alone.
It was late Friday night, and Erik was in the practice room finishing his composition. He had not associated with anyone, except Roland and Demi. He had caught himself staring at Karlie Bordeaux on many occasions over the last two weeks, and there were times he was sure she had seen him doing it.
Demi's patience and determination had done wonders for Erik's self-esteem; the dark, brooding man who had arrived in New Orleans almost a two months ago, was difficult to find. He began to smile more often, especially after she told him that it took ten years off his facial features. Erik could go for looking twenty-one again.
When they were seen in public places together, Demi would be sure and point out to Erik the fact that many women noticed him…and found him handsome and alluring. He had actually engaged in pleasant conversations with a few of them.
Some of them were mothers with daughters of marrying age, and Erik was quickly becoming the most eligible bachelor in the city; but he still could not find it in himself to exercise his newfound personality facets on Karlie.
Her opinion of him mattered; that is why he could not surrender his inhibitions. He wanted her to respond to him in a positive way because she liked him for whom he was, not because he was wealthy and powerful; and he was not yet convinced that would ever be.
Of course, that did not keep her out of his mind. He pictured her dancing in his dreams and the feel of her petite, lithe body pressed against him in the bed the first night they met.
She haunted his dreams, day and night. Her midnight eyes pulling him in and demanding his submission; her massive array of raven curls spread out over his sheets as he made her his in every way.
Erik smiled to himself and shook his head. He was really doing a number on himself and his body would give him no rest. "What are you going to Erik? Demi insists you have more than what it takes to hold a woman's interest." Erik's thoughts did nothing to comfort him, and his next words were said out loud to himself, "But the only woman you want is Karlie Bordeaux."
He turned the lamp down until it snuffed out, walked out the door, and headed toward his room.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Karlie had missed hearing his voice. She could not forget the generous gift he had bestowed upon her girls and she really needed to thank him, personally.
She had caught his eyes on her several times over the last few days. His eyes spoke volumes to her about his feelings. He was attracted to her; of that much, she was sure. He was scared of his attraction and assumed she would not return his affections.
On more than one occasion, he had immediately lowered his eyes as if he was ashamed he had been caught; afraid she would be disgusted by his obvious interest.
She was walking down the hall toward her quarters, when she saw Erik dip into his room and quietly shut the door.
She made her way toward his door, only to be interrupted by Sasha Cowen, a promising ballerina. She had some questions pertaining to some steps she had been having problems mastering. Thanking Erik would have to wait.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
A few weeks went by, and Erik had had little time to devote to anything or anyone. He began voice instruction with ten students and found that this monopolized the majority of his day. Rehearsals were in full swing for their scheduled opening night on March 1, 1873.
He had only had the wonderful opportunity of watching Karlie as she instructed her dancers in the steps for "The Magic Flute". Every now and then, she would have to demonstrate the steps for them and he had the opportunity to witness her graceful skills again.
They had exchanged, what Erik would call, pleasantries. He would get caught with his eyes on her and she would smile a vivid, luminous smile and Erik would swear that he caught her winking at him…but he knew better; after all, she had someone she was interested in…Erik wondered if she had ever pursued him as her friend told her to do.
They had auditioned new leads, as Bernardo had been dismissed, causing a round of applause from the female population. The man had not been well liked.
Erik was leaning toward a young, up-and-coming American named Jason Nobles. The young man was eager to learn and was exceptionally talented. His voice was as rich and vibrant in the lower registers and it was in the upper, making for a wonderful and versatile range. His parts were mostly tenor, but he could handle the baritone as well.
The decision was his to make, but he wanted to include Roland in the process, he had been around the area longer than Erik had, and was familiar with the sound that the locals enjoyed most.
The other performers were scheduled for regular voice training and exercising, which made for long days. Erik gave about 10 lessons a day, Monday through Friday. His lessons were proving to be very beneficial, even though it had only been two weeks.
The latest student was a young man of about twenty, named Victor. His voice was unremarkable for the most part, but it had a certain pure quality which Erik admired. The boy had had little formal instruction up to this point and was untrained in scales and arpeggios.
Erik patiently taught the boy the basics of word articulation and voice control and after the end of the evening, Victor was sounding like a completely different man.
"Thank you Mr. Clairvaux. I never thought I could do some of the things you have taught me today." Victor was ecstatic and wanted Erik to realize his deep appreciation.
"You're welcome, young man. Just use what you have learned as you play your part in 'The Magic Flute'." Erik affirmed.
Victor turned to leave, but spoke one last time, "Mr. Bourbon never did any of this with us…he only worked with Bernardo and Heidi…" Victor held his head up high, "…he seemed to think that the rest of us were not important enough to warrant lessons."
"Opera and theater takes teamwork, Victor. Everyone must know their part if all are to do their best. All voices are equally important, for without the chorus, the leads sound unbalanced and without the leads, the chorus makes no sense." Erik instructed, "We all rely on each other if the performance is going to be the best it can be."
The boy smiled and nodded as he left the room. Erik could not believe that this Anton had not given equal time to all voices, somewhere in the chorus could be the next star and he would have missed them.
Erik checked his pocket watch, it was 6:30 p.m. and he was finally done with the individual lessons for the day. It had been an exceptionally long day because a couple of the chorus members had rescheduled for today due to conflicting schedules. Tomorrow was Saturday and he had the next three weeks off, for personal reasons. Monday was the first day of the first full week in December, and everyone would get their early Christmas gifts…he just hoped that all were pleased.
He reflected on his first few months here; he had arrived and been settled within the first week of August and it was almost December…he had survived.
Erik strolled down the hallway, making sure all things were in order as he went. His stride was confident and graceful, as it always was.
His head was in a vice and he felt the need to take a walk in the night air to clear his mind and senses. He headed down the hallway to tell Roland that he was going to be out for a couple of hours, when he heard three voices coming from the half-closed door.
He was not going to stop until he heard Karlie's sharp tones.
"Mason…it has been four years! What, on God's green earth, would make you think I wanted to be with you?" She seethed. "I would not resume a relationship with you if you were the last man on earth!"
A male voice that Erik did not recognize spoke back to her in a condescending tone, "Karlie, come on. What other choice to you have?" Erik heard the cockiness in the boys words, "You're not getting any younger and you're never going to get a better proposal…you're just too headstrong, too smart, and too old to be particular."
Karlie's voice was strong and determined, and Erik found he admired her strength and calm demeanor. "Mason, give it up, I have another man in my life now…and he is everything you could never and will never be."
Erik's interest was immediately peeked. Who was this man that Karlie had in her life? Erik was slightly taken aback, but held himself in check, he had no reason to stake any claim to Karlie…she barely knew he existed.
Erik heard Mason chuckle; a cold, unfeeling sound that made Erik doubt the man's sanity, "I see no ring…he is probably wise enough to not propose to a spinster whose virginity means more to her than making her man happy."
The stinging words made Erik furious; the man had some gall talking to her that way. There was a resounding smack as Karlie's hand landed on Mason's soft cheek; Erik smirked to himself as he pictured Karlie's small, feminine frame primed for battle.
"How dare you!" she seethed through clenched teeth.
There was a deafening silence and Erik heard Roland's chair creak, he must have gotten out of it to approach the quarreling couple.
"Young man, I don't know you…but you have no right to talk to Karlie that way." Roland was angry; Erik knew he thought of Karlie as a daughter. "I was not keen on letting you talk to her, but you insisted; now, I must insist that you leave."
Erik picked this moment to knock on the door and proceed into the room. The look on Mason's face was priceless. Erik was not sure if it was the mask or his considerable size that had the boy gawking.
"Is everything alright in here?" Erik asked, making eye contact with Mason and then looking cautiously at Karlie.
"Erik, I am so glad you are here…I thought you had forgotten our date." Karlie harped, hoping Erik would go along with her.
Erik quirked an eyebrow and looked her square in the eye, she was begging for his cooperation within their deep blue depths. "She must really be desperate for help if she wishes this man to believe she would date me…well, if I have learned anything from living in an opera house, it is how to act", Erik thought to himself.
"Of course not, darling; how could I forget?" Erik replied with conviction, walking toward her with finesse.
Karlie took his hand in a gentle squeeze and looked up at him with the most sensual eyes that Erik's heart almost forgot to beat. She gently pulled him toward the offensive man.
"Mason Anderson, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Erik Clairvaux…Erik, this is Mason, an ex-boyfriend." Karlie stated simply, without skipping a beat.
Erik's heart lurched in his chest when she referred to him as her fiancé; he had never thought to hear that word used in reference to him, and he found he liked it…even if it was just for appearances.
Mason's face was bug eyed and flushed. He was staring at Erik as though he had just materialized out of thin air.
Both men just stood there looking at each other, neither making a gesture of friendship. Erik's gaze was intense and bore into Mason's stare. For effect, Erik wrapped his arm around Karlie's shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. He realized just how small she was and he marveled at how good she felt beneath his arm.
Erik's low, menacing tone addressed Mason and his arresting eyes never left his face, "I do believe that I heard Mr. Temple tell you to leave…now."
Mason pulled himself up to his full five feet, eleven inches and glared up at Erik through squinty eyes.
"Why would Karlie want a man who hides his face behind a mask?" the boy asked heatedly.
Erik gave a sexy, crooked grin and gave, what he hoped, was a convincing answer, since he did not quite believe it himself, "Some men don't have to rely on their looks to win a woman's heart."
Erik removed his arm from around Karlie's clinging figure and descended on Mason; his six foot, four inches towering over Mason. Erik was twice his size in shear muscle and Mason visibly trembled from the threat his looming figure posed.
Karlie walked up, and wrapped her arm around Erik's waist and intimately placed her other hand on his chest. Her voice was seductive and breathy, "Erik, my love; please…let's leave. He's not worth messing up your clothes." She reached up and placed a sweet kiss on his left cheek, "Take me to dinner." Karlie was thinking how proud Allie would be right now, she had just drawn Erik, unsuspectingly, into her web of flirtation.
Her petite hand on his chest and the kiss she bestowed upon him; had thrown Erik for a loop. He knew she was just acting for the sake of this fool of an ex-boyfriend; but Erik had sure enjoyed being a part of the production…but somewhere in the acting, he had lost his heart…and that made him angry.
To Be Continued…